Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 September 2023 – The Ministry of Industry and Commerce with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) held a workshop to review the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy at Rainbow Towers in Harare.
The purpose of the workshop was to assess the implementation of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2019-2023) which is expiring in December this year, and to review and validate the draft successor policy, the Zimbabwe Industrial Development Policy (2024 – 2030).
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce with the support from UNECA SRO-SA retained a consultant to review the implementation of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2019-2023) and to draft a successor ZNIDP (2024-2030) aligned to the current national economic policies and thrust and with regional industrialization strategies and policies.
The Ministry also launched a report on the local content thresholds for the fertilizer, packaging and pharmaceutical sectors during the workshops. The sector thresholds, developed and validated in a fully consultative manner, provide a framework for the implementation of local content strategies in the three sectors as part of the overall national endeavour of strengthening domestic linkages of the industrial sector. UNECA SRO-SA provided the technical and financial support towards the development of the thresholds.
Guest of honour at the workshop, Dr. Mavis Sibanda, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce underscored that “the draft Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2024-2030) seeks to build upon the achievements gained to date and address persistent challenges in order to unlock new avenues for the growth and development of the manufacturing sector going forward."
Dr. Sibanda further explained that “going forward, the draft Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2024-2030) is aiming to drive structural transformation and to build a strong industrial sector, with linkages with other economic sectors. In addition, services which include tourism, transport, construction, finance and among others will also spur the growth and further propel the industrialization agenda.”
Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon noted “You will agree with me that the alignment of Zimbabwe’s industrial development policy with both the COMESA Industrialisation Strategy (2017-2026) and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy (2015-2063) as well as with the national frameworks such as Zimbabwe Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) will anchor value chains development and linkages.”
In his contribution during the opening session, Mr. Oliver Maponga, Economic Affairs Officer, UNECA SRO-SA underscored the critical relationship between industrialization and value addition and the production of competitive products able to penetrate the African Continental
Free Trade Area. The regional dimension of value chains is important for industrial development and the creation of sustainable jobs.
Chief Director Industry, Ms. Florence A. Makombe weighed in on the discussions and indicated that once stakeholder consultations are concluded and all contributions are consolidated, the Ministry will initiate internal Government processes for the approval of the Zimbabwe Industrial Development Policy (2024-2030).
Participants in the workshop were drawn from the private sector key organizations – Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, ZFIC, National Competitiveness Commission, Competition Tariffs Commission, Zimbabwe Industrial Development Agencies, ZIMTRADE, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe, Standards Association of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Family in Zimbabwe, academia and research organizations and civil society organizations as well as from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Media Contacts:
Lavender C. Degre
Communication Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa
2392 Longolongo Road
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Tel: +260 211 228502/5 Ext. 21307
Fax: +260 211 236949
DL:+260 211 376607
Email: lavender.degre@un.org
Garikayi Chipfunde
Acting Deputy Director Communications & Advocacy
Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263772787801
Email: garikayich@gmail.com
Courage Chakubva
Communications & Advocacy Officer
Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe
Phone: +263777322031
Email: tcchakubva@gmail.com